There was jubilation in the camp of the All Progressives Congress, Oyo State chapter on Friday over the Supreme Court judgement that invalidated the sacking of the elected council officials in the state by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Apex Court in its judgement ordered that the state government should pay the outstanding salaries and allowances of the chairmen that were barred from office since May 2019.
The court also awarded N20 million cost against Makinde.
Following the judgement, members of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, alongside APC faithful across the state, went wild in jubilation.
Meanwhile, the ALGON members have indicated their resolve to go to court for an injunction against the May 22 local government election.
A member of ALGON, who preferred anonymity, said, “The next thing for us is to approach the court of law. Our confidence is in the judiciary as the last hope of common man. We will do everything legally possible to resist the conduct of any kangaroo election.”
Meanwhile, former Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, has urged Governor Makinde to postpone the May local government election to a later date in order to protect the sanctity of the nation’s developing democracy.
Alao-Akala, who is the Chairman, APC Elders Advisory Council in the state, spoke in reaction to the Friday judgement that invalidated the sack of the elected council chairmen in the state.
He said, “Going on with the local government election as earlier scheduled will throw the state into another round of legal gymnastics.
“My advise to him is to sit down with the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission officials, look into the new development and do the needful which is to shift the election date. Fortunately, the OYSIEC chairman is a learned fellow; he knows what the law says, he knows what the constitution says about holding elections and he knows the consequences of holding a one-sided election.
“Apart from that, both the governor and the OYSIEC chairman have a name to protect. This is an opportunity for Seyi Makinde to correct his past mistake. He should not commit another blunder by going on with that election which hundred per cent certain will be faulted again by the judiciary.”
However, counsel to the respondents, Otunba Kunle Kalejaye (SAN), said, “Well, the Supreme Court has spoken and that is the end of the matter. Like the Supreme Court said, the term of the sacked chairmen will expire on the 12th of May, 2021, and so there is nothing like reinstatement.
All that the Supreme Court said is that the sacked chairmen should be paid their emolument which the government had attempted to do before. So, I wish them luck.”
